Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Testimony

Dear Family and Friends,

First things first, We moved this week!! Our old Apartment was in need of some serious work and vermin are not the best company so that's all I'm going to say about that... Our new address is 2300 Diamond Mesa Tr. SW Unit #3101 Albuquerque NM, 87105. We are still getting settled in a little bit but the main event an stress of moving is over. Wow it's a lot to juggle in between so many appointments and working with another set of Edlers and all that stuff. So My thoughts might be a little scattered, now you know why.

A spiritualy giant week just came and went. Guess who we met in person? Elder Holland! HE looks a lot different in person but his enthusiasm for the gospel and this divine work is very much the same. He told us about the birth of Preach My Gospel, and that it is an effort to make truly converted missionaries that can then share that conversion with others. I can attest that teaching out of Preach my Gospel is an exhausting and often an overwhelming challenge each day. There are so many aspects of the gospel and so ay people with different needs that we have to touch on.

My gratitude is enormous to my Heavenly Father for giving me the spirit and strength to be able to keep up with all the work. I have much to learn and much to share. The most important thing to remember though, is that the Atonement of Jesus Christ our Lord is the very central point of everything. All other aspects of the Gospel are only appendages to that infinite and all powerful sacrifice. Let us look at the example of King Lamoni's father for a moment. Alma 18-23 ish... He goes from a worldly king trying to kill his own son for not harkening to his words, to a humbled and spiritual giant willing to "give up all that [he possesses], yea [he] will forsake [his] kingdom..." Not only that though. He goes further to say that "[He will forsake all his sins to know [God]" Well I think all of us are at a point were we recognize that we have to give up our sins. to know god. But are we willing to give up ALL of them. How often do we put all the sins we are willing to give up on a big table before the lord telling him that we will let go, but we hold that One behind our back hoping that he won't notice our favorite sin. He says that he is pleased with our willing ness to give up so many things for him. But the only thing He wants is that one that we have behind our back. For Abraham, it was Isaac. For each of us it is something else. Please let us give up everything because we can't progress until we do. There are so many people that hold on for years, fighting against God and sometimes they never get it. God is patient. He will wait until you are ready. But you can't expect him to change his rules and say eventually that it's ok for You to have that One sin. He would cease to be God! And the other thing is if we wait for that to happen, eventually we will die, God won't. And then it's too late. The day is now, the Time is now. for each of us. 2 Corintians 6:2 and Alma 34:32-34.
 
In this world there are so many things that we could be doing. So many good things. I recognize the efforts that each person makes are often the most they can possibly do with the understanding they have. We can't run faster than we have prepared ourselves for. But if we start now we can run fast enough for the Lord to quicken us in his time. The Atonement has more power than any of us can even comprehend, are we at least trying though? I submit that I have not. I know that I could do better. Because "God is so easy to please, but never easy to satisfy."- Elder Holland. So when we are ready to apply the Atonement, the Lord will help us, but we have to throw down our weapons of rebellion, and not only that but Burry them deep in the earth! Lest we be tempted to take them up again. We have a testimony (Finally tying it in, I know you were wondering why I titled it that) of the Atonement. But are we converted to it? If so then as Christ said "When thou are converted, strengthen thy bretheren." I love each one of you and I want you to know that there is support and guidance for each situation that we go through. Live up to your potential.

I have one more thing to mention. Frank Segura. He is an investigator Elder Hardy and I found a few weeks ago and passed off to the single's branch Sisters. He is being baptized this week and we had a very powerful lesson with him yesterday at the invitation of the sisters. He said he had a doubt, and never told us what it was but the spirit overcame it through our words and the scriptures. We all will be backed up to the wall of faith at some point, and we Must act in faith. That is the very start of all things gospel related. He asked me to baptize him and I am honored that he did. That will be this coming Saturday. Have a fantastic week!

​Love,​
Elder McGarry

I almost forgot, I have a challenge for each of you: Write your testimony of the Book of Mormon e-mail it to me individually. I want some to print and put in the cover of the ​books that I give to people in contacting. It doesn't have to be long or anything in particular, but just a brief description of how you came to know the Book of Mormon is true, and maybe a scripture that has helped you in that pursuit or in life in general. Thanks! Love ya!
 
Picture of district meeting and the skyped in Alamo reservation elders.
 
 

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Valentine's and More

Dear Family and Friends,

We had a Crazy Week!! We found 6 new investigators and all of them are pretty solid. We witnessed the arrest of a fugitive of over a year at a member's home. We were witness to the blessed union of Nelida and Jose in marriage. The day after, Valentine's day, I had the privilege at the request of Neli to baptize her right after Jose was baptized by his son Marc who is a convert of just over a year. We found out that Michele who had moved to Oregon and was going to be baptized there, is back!! We invited Victor and his 9 year old son (Investigators) to church. They came and witnessed Neli and Jose receive the Holy Ghost, and I got to give a 15 minute talk on the Plan of Salvation which we had already planned on teaching them this week. After sacrament meeting Victor turned to Elder Hardy and asked, "What's the soonest I can be baptized?" We told him we'd start filling the font right then... Ok just kidding about that part. But he would have done it I'm sure! Anyway the point here is that among all of these things, there are even greater Miracles still. This is only a small part of the world and a very few amount of people, but these are some of the most beautiful things we like to hear about in life. Progress and Joy. Love and Acceptance. Justice and Mercy. The Lord lives :)

The biggest thing that I can say about this week is that we can all have a witness of where we are and what we are doing is what God wants for us. That, obviously, can only come if we are trying to follow the promptings of the spirit. Listen to the promptings and you will truly feel the hand of the Lord working in your life. The Plan of Salvation is not just to have as an idea of why we are here. It is THE purpose for us being here. How do we gain that knowledge though. How do we gain a witness that we are doing what we were sent here to do? Just like gaining a witness that the Book of Mormon is true, we can gain a witness that our actions are true to the eternal purpose of our life. That is why it is son important to be close to the spirit in all things. That's why as humans and imperfect beings, we have to be reminded daily of that purpose and the things we need to strive to be doing to reach our potential of being with God again. Small things that have a profound impact in our lives, praying, studying the word of God, learning to Love unconditionally. That doesn't mean just the people we interact with, but every person we come in contact with. You could be the person that makes the difference of eternal consequence in someone else's life. I don't have much time today unfortunately, but Know that I know God lives. He Loves us, and he wants what is best for each of us.
 
Love,
Elder McGarry



Tuesday, February 10, 2015

The Other Side

Dear Family and Friends,

I am so full of joy and happiness from this last weekend. I know a little better what Nephi felt when he said that He was filled with the Holy Ghost and could not be touched. Not saying that I couldn't be touched, but there were many experiences that were very spiritual and dealing with the other side of the veil this weekend. These are truly the experiences that "fill our Lamps with oil." I wish that I could share the feelings and witnesses gained as a result but alas I cannot. But I can share the experiences that brought them about, and show you how you too can have the "oil" filling your lamp.

First off, Great news! Lisa got baptized on Saturday! She asked me to talk about the Holy Ghost, and let me tell you I might as well have filled the font too, because it was a very powerful spirit that was there. I am so grateful to have had the chance to be part of her journey, and this is only the beginning! Later we had a powerful lesson with Nelly and Jose who are preparing to be baptized this coming Saturday!! Lisa also asked me to come to the confirmation circle in her ward. (A little clarification, Lisa was originally taught by Elder Christensen and I, then passed off to the Ladera sisters, so she was subsequently, taught, baptized and confirmed in their ward.) That was my first opportunity to be part of a confirmation circle and again I was overwhelmed with the Love of our Savior and His Spirit. In our ward we had the opportunity to help bless a baby in the O'Connor Family. Brother O'Connor is just like a brother to me and it was such a great experience, especially since I was not able to be there for my newest nephew Lokk's blessing. We then had the chance Sunday night to give another blessing (That's like 11 this weekend) at the Yazi's home. They have recently started taking temple preparation classes in order to receive their endowments and perform ordinances for their close family who have passed on. This was one of the most powerful blessings I have been privileged to experience and be the mouthpiece for, and again this is only the beginning! I have so much to look forward to, as do we all!

The Lord is so good to me. I have great need to express my nothingness and my gratitude for everything he has done for me. I have been blessed with all of you as family and friends. I have been blessed with a loving mother and father. I have been blessed more abundantly than I deserve. And as King Benjamin says, even if I were to labor ALL my days and give all that I am to serve the Lord, yet I would be an unprofitable servant. But the Lord asks us to do something that we can all accomplish. That is to come to him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and he will mold us into what he truly wants us to be. That I know to be true. Don't let fear or doubt keep you from the blessings your father has for you. Only let yourself submit to obedience and then you will be able to be what he wants you to be.

I love you all, and I wish you the best week, as this will undoubtedly be the best so far of my mission, respectively, as the ones to come will be even better yet.

--
​Love,​

 Elder McGarry


Lisa, Right after the Baptism​
Elder Hardy's mirror selfie or wait... Guard dogs on the ROOF?? What? Only New Mexico I guess... Good times.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Finding

Dear Family and Friends,

Another great week down here in the desert southwest. There has been a little snow, but nothing to get too worked up about. If you want to don anything with it you have to do it before 10:00 am and as you know, there is not even enough time to do the things I already need to do, so I'll just have to build a really big snowman when I get home. As for the work here in New Mexico, we are seeing serious measurable progression. We have 6 investigators with a baptismal date and two weddings coming up! I am so excited to see the next few weeks and how they will pan out. It's already half way through my third transfer and I can't believe it. I just got here.

This weekend I am so excited to go to Lisa's baptism. Elder Christensen and I had the honor of teaching the first two lessons she ever had with missionaries. The Zone leaders gave us a referral for her and told us she was in our area... turns out she wasn't. So even though a mistake seems to be a mistake, it never is. She asked me to speak about the Holy Ghost at her service and I am honored. As for other news, Nellie and Jose are going to get married, before Valentine's day and be baptized on Valentine's day. That is the plan for right now, and they are so excited. Jose is beaming every time I see him and he really is so ready. He has been drinking coffee for Years, we had one lesson with him on the word of wisdom, and he hasn't touched it since. That was a miracle in itself. I can't wait!

So my thoughts are beginning to be turned more toward finding. In my purposes that means finding new people to teach, new children who God has prepared to receive his gospel. But that may not be the case for all who are reading this. So for finding I'll touch on another aspect. In stake conference there was a big emphasis on missionary work. Our Mission President shared 3 phases of missionary work. The first is full-time missionary's efforts: Finding teaching baptizing. The second is the ward: Feeding missionaries, giving rides, coming to lessons, visiting and home teaching. The third is All of us: The ward is finding, helping set up teaching, fellowshipping, inviting people by their own choice to learn more about the restored gospel. I can say that this is not a new idea. The church has emphasized every member a missionary for years. But I can add this testimony. I have seen in the area that I am working, since coming and inviting people to participate and them responding with vigor and willingness, I have seen the miraculous power that comes from that third phase. How do we achieve it though? Only through deepening our own personal conversion! The "Primary answers" are not just a response to give when asked a gospel related question. They are truly simple things that we can do that have a profound influence in our lives. The Lord asks so little of us, let us not be "forgetful hearer[s], but doer[s] of the work." James 1:21. If Joseph Smith, had only read the verse in James 1:5 and not followed the council given in the rest of the chapter, he would not have had the chance to partake of the path that he did. But we all have this same opportunity to seize the blessings that God has for us right now, if we only DO the things he has asked. Act in Charity and have faith enough to show to our Father and the World that he is a God of Miracles Today, as he was yesterday, and as he surely will be, forever and ever.

I love you and pray for you. Have a great week!

Elder McGarry
 
Elder Hardy, Steve Whyrick and Me

Atrisco High School in our area is where the opening scene from Avengers was filmed. Fun Fact